[pefloresjr]

One of the issues this team has to learn to deal with is being the undisputed No. 1.  The longer that goes on, the greater the pressure.  When we face a good team like Oregon that is used to running and gunning (or at least used to scoring a lot), the opponent can sometimes play really carefree ball.  I think that was a factor in the first half.  We looked tight and had trouble adjusting to their aggressive defense on Belibi.  We got it almost back to even at the half and played with a plan in the 3rd quarter.  The team looked comfortable and loose during that span.  In the 4th, when the lead started to slip away and we were trying to burn clock, we were never able to get our offensive rhythm back.  That is usually where Williams or Jones steadies the ship with some clutch shots.  Those had to come from the freethrow line today.  It was far from perfect, but I think it was a needed learning and growing experience for this team and for our coaches in handling this team.  A great win overall.  

I really think Oregon is every bit as good as UCLA and Arizona.  With other good teams in the Pac-12 (WSU is even a real threat this year), Stanford will be battle tested for tournament play.  (Knocking on wood and hoping the team makes it to that point without many more health issues.)

Cheers,
Pete F.

[pefloresjr]

One of the issues this team has to learn to deal with is being the undisputed No. 1.  The longer that goes on, the greater the pressure.  When we face a good team like Oregon that is used to running and gunning (or at least used to scoring a lot), the opponent can sometimes play really carefree ball.  I think that was a factor in the first half.  We looked tight and had trouble adjusting to their aggressive defense on Belibi.  We got it almost back to even at the half and played with a plan in the 3rd quarter.  The team looked comfortable and loose during that span.  In the 4th, when the lead started to slip away and we were trying to burn clock, we were never able to get our offensive rhythm back.  That is usually where Williams or Jones steadies the ship with some clutch shots.  Those had to come from the freethrow line today.  It was far from perfect, but I think it was a needed learning and growing experience for this team and for our coaches in handling this team.  A great win overall.  

I really think Oregon is every bit as good as UCLA and Arizona.  With other good teams in the Pac-12 (WSU is even a real threat this year), Stanford will be battle tested for tournament play.  (Knocking on wood and hoping the team makes it to that point without many more health issues.)

Cheers,
Pete F.